Led by multi-instrumentalist Jose Menezes De Franca (aka Ze Menezes (1921-2014), Os Velhinhos Transviados was a lighthearted, mostly 1960s-era, mostly instrumental dance band which recorded numerous albums under several different names, with an often-anonymous lineup that included other top-flight musicians, notably accordionist Romeu Seibel, aka Chiquinho Do Acordeon). The group -- whose name roughly translates to "the old weirdoes" -- grew out of Ze Menezes' work as a house arranger and bandleader for the RCA Victor record label where he wrote material and arrangements for many of the biggest stars of the era. Os Velhinhos Transviados were known as a somewhat satirical group, covering hit songs from Brazil and beyond, with kitschy takes on the material that could be considered parodies, although to modern ears it might all fall under the heading of "easy listening" music. Here's a quick -- and doubtless incomplete -- look at the group's work...
Os Velhinhos Transviados "A Bossa Dos Velhinhos Transviados" (RCA Victor, 196-?) (LP)
Os Velhinhos Transviados "Sensacionais" (RCA Victor, 1962) (LP)
Os Velhinhos "Os Velhinhos Sensacionais" (Chantecler Records, 1963-?) (LP)
No date on this disc, though it includes a cover of "I Want To Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles, so it's at least from 1963... This is not the same album as the 1962 album, Sensacionais (above) and shares no tracks in common with at earlier release. This was also released under the title/band name Os Vovos Atrevidos : don't ask me why -- I have no idea.
Jose Menezes "Os Velhinhos Transviados Espectaculares" (RCA Victor, 196-?) (LP)
Os Velhinhos Transviados "Barbaros!" (RCA Victor, 1964) (LP)
Os Velhinhos Transviados "Embalados" (RCA Victor, 1965) (LP)
Os Velhinhos Transviados "Em Orbita" (RCA Victor, 1965) (LP)
Os Velhinhos Transviados "Na Brasa Viva!" (RCA Victor, 1966) (LP)
Os Velhinhos Transviados "Na Paquera" (RCA Victor, 1967) (LP)
Os Velhinhos Transviados "Tropicalissimos!" (RCA Victor, 1968) (LP)
Os Velhinhos Transviados & Ze Menezes "Dance Com Os Velhinhos Transviados" (RCA Victor, 1968) (LP)
Os Velhinhos Transviados "Dance Com Os Velhinhos Transviados, v.2" (RCA-Camden, 1970) (LP)
Os Velhinhos Transviados "Na Curtisom" (RCA Victor, 1971) (LP)
Os Velhinhos Transviados "Transando Os Sucessos" (Chantacler/Alvorada Records, 1973) (LP)
Os Velhinhos Transviados "Sambando Com Os Velhinhos Transviados" (RCA-Camden, 1975) (LP)
